Page 111 - Taming Your Gremlin A Surprisingly Simple Method for Getting Out of Your Own Way (Rick Carson)_Neat

around. As you become aware of an outdated concept or an old habitual
behavior, consider playing with changing the behavior. Change for the
moment. To vow to change forever sets you up for a gremlin attack, since

that wily master of misery will turn your vow into a should with which to
beat you over the head. To vow to change forever would be no more than to
develop a new habit or a new act. Granted, it may be a more constructive
habit or act than the one you were using, but any habit or act can limit your
potential for leading a creative, enjoyable life. Again, the key word is
choice.

BEING AT CHOICE

To be at choice from situation to situation and from moment to moment is
vitally important in taming your gremlin.

On occasion I’ve met people who’ve had a little counseling. A little
counseling is like a little knowledge of karate. It can get you into bad
trouble. Here is a common scenario:

A woman goes into counseling and becomes aware of her lifelong
tendency to repress her anger. Her newfound awareness is so exciting that
she develops a new rule. Instead of thinking that she should not express

anger, she now fervently believes that she should always show her anger.
She has developed what I call an “inverted” neurosis and is no better off
than before. Her gremlin, waiting in the wings, will either continue to
badger her about how awful her anger is or, with a sudden shift in tactics, he
will begin to berate her each time she is not totally honest about her feelings
of anger, telling her that she should be. Remember:

Taming your gremlin does not require developing new shoulds. Instead,